Texas State officials to honor Socorro High champs
July 1, 2009
Socorro High School's state championship baseball team will spend two days in Austin this week. Bulldog players are scheduled to meet top state officials, take a VIP tour of the Statehouse and maybe even have time to relax.
Written by Brandi Grissom, The El Paso Times
AUSTIN -- These are Dog days at the state Capitol.
Socorro High School's state championship baseball team will spend two days in Austin this week. Bulldog players are scheduled to meet top state officials, take a VIP tour of the Statehouse and maybe even have time to relax.
"It's going to be a good time for them," said head coach Chris Forbes.
Nicole Maesse, an intern on the staff of state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, is perhaps more responsible for the trip than anyone.
In less than two weeks Maesse raised about $9,000 to fly 16 seniors on the team and five coaches to Austin on Thursday and Friday during the special legislative session. Three other players will also make the 600-mile trip to the Capitol with their parents, said assistant coach Jose Alvarez.
The Bulldogs defeated Lufkin 12-7 on June 13 in Round Rock to win the Class 5A state baseball championship. It was El Paso County's first state baseball championship in 60 years.
Since then, Socorro players have been on a tour of accolades. They have been honored with a parade, proclamations and publicity.
"They're a little bit overwhelmed sometimes with some of the things that are going on," Forbes said.
Maesse raised money for the trip to Austin from El Paso businesses and people who supported the team. She booked a flight and arranged a jampacked Statehouse itinerary for the baseball champs.
During its visit to Austin, the team's tentative schedule includes meetings with Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a private tour of the Capitol, including the famous pink dome, and a trip to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. El Paso lawmakers also plan to read resolutions honoring the team in each legislative chamber.
Forbes said the team was looking forward to the trip to the Capitol. He said the players were especially excited about some scheduled free time in Austin on Thursday to explore the city, go for a swim or just relax.
"They are going to be able to actually, you know, spend some time together where they're not just going, going, going," he said.
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